Tillman throwing off mound today (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman said he's going to throw off a mound today to test his hip, which continues to feel better after discomfort forced him to miss Sunday's intrasquad game.

"It's good, better," Tillman said. "I haven't really missed much other than PFPs and team defense. I'm going to go out and throw, get off the mound and see how it feels, if the hill does anything because flat (ground) doesn't really bother it. Probably spend a couple minutes up there unless it really bothers me and take it day by day.

"Get up on the hill just to try to take it to the next level and see where we're at."

Tillman will increase the intensity if the hip allows it.

"I've been throwing 100 percent flat ground," he said. "I'll probably start off easy. I'm not going to jump right into it, but see how it feels. I think the more comfortable I am, the closer to 100 percent I'll get."

The Orioles wanted Tillman to pitch in Saturday's split-squad game, but manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that the right-hander could be pushed back as a precaution.

"I'm doing their part of it now, which is the process, and then I think the game part of it would be up to them," he said. "They're a little smarter at it than me because I would have liked to pitch already, but I get it. I think it's safe because it is so early. The right thing to do.

"I think once I have a good bullpen ... I'll probably throw a bullpen and get up and down a few times and simulate that game I would have pitched in, the intrasquad game. But I don't see any problem with it unless we have another setback, which I don't see happening."

Meanwhile, Zach Britton will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday at home against the Braves. Dylan Bundy and Brach Brach will pitch Thursday against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Kevin Gausman will pitch in Saturday's split-squad game against the Rays in Sarasota.

Update: After throwing 25 pitches, Tillman said he didn't feel any issues in the hip and said he felt really good. He even joked about throwing a no-hitter.